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Integration, the way forward...

Parallel Lives: your views

James from Preston

I live in a street where there are muslim, hindu, sikh, Catholic and non-catholic Christians who are European and Afro-carribean. We all accept each other for what we are and don't try to impose our beleifs or practices on each other. we all celebrate Christmas, Eidd and other festivals. Does this mean we are multi-cultural or parallel or simply tolerant?

Rick from Ashton

Part of the problem is of our own making.Ìý For years, left wing politicians and councils have enforced their views that we British whites have to bend over backwards so as not to risk causing offence to any "ethnic minority" and so as not to be seen as racist.Ìý As a result, differences are never discussed.Ìý We have also allowed a situation where, besides moderate muslims, we have allowed many extremists into the country and again are not supposed to say much about it for fear of upsetting the general muslim community.Ìý Various governments and councils over the years have also insisted that to request anybody entering or hoping to enter the country, in any way, is racist.Ìý However they seem to forget that their prime responsibility is to look after and be responsible to the British public.Ìý This includes muslims and many other faiths.Ìý I fail to see how this can be accomplished when people are allowed to hide their identity behind a veil at passport control, in banks, etc.Ìý Such behaviour would not be olerated from any other member of British society whatever their skin colour or creed.Ìý Until we find ourselves in a position where people are treated equally, with no exceptions for any reason (religious or otherwise) and where we can be open in our discussions, we will never have an integrated society, only one with various cultural groups cohabiting in any thing other than peace.

S Harrison from Middleton

I live in a relatively low ethnic count community but Asians are beginning to move in. I have seen it in Daubhill, Bolton where a relative of mine lived in a terraced street, this street was all white but then the asians began moving in. After about two years my aunt had to sell her house at half the price because only the asians would buy it. They were turning up with briefcases full of cash and she was pretty much ethnically cleansed out of the area. I have witnessed so called multi-culturalism first hand at Rochdale and Oldham colleges where gangs of asian youths walk down the corridors in lines forcing you out of their way and intimidating you.

Imran from Manchester

can all the people on this page please dont make it sound like you know anything about islam please.you get fed propaganda by all types of media and you need to look further then what you are been told.Can someone tell me when the last good story about islam was broadcast? about seperation, TRUTHFULLY i and many other muslims, whites, blacks jews etc rather live together to feel more safer in a community you know that you and your family are safe. And people like nick griffin are making this situation more worse for muslims and others of this country to live together in peace.

Angela from Manchester

I live in Moss Side which is a predominantly black community, also well known for its gun crime!! As a young white woman I feel so much safer in Moss Side than i do inÌý Rusholme or Longsight (predominantly Asian areas).

Helen from Nelson

Both me and my husband come from another country, and we have adapted to the british culture. We need to put a stop to hiding behind the racist and religion thing and start to get some order back in to this country.

Abdul from Bolton

In answer to Peter's commentsÌý to suggest British Muslims is an Oxymoron, then so are British Hindus, British Jews, Brirtish Christian's I mean give it a rest.Ìý It is becasue of these baseless arguments we are where we are. I for one am born and bred here in Bolton, and a British Muslim my loyalty remains to the HM the Queen and Country.Ìý Nonetheless, the last time I checked Britain was a democratic country, where people are free to choose the religion they follow or dress the way they want.Ìý Let's leave it at that shall we.Ìý The only people actually reaping anything good out out this anti-Muslim campaign are the Muslims.Ìý Despite all the negativity, Islam remains the fastest growing religion.Ìý